Discussions By Condition: Allergies

swollen ,itchy,painful eyelids and itchy body rash

Hi I am a 44 yr. old woman & this is the first time i have ever posted anything like this but i thought i would try. About 8 or 9 weeks ago i noticed my eyelids statrd itching it got progressively worse and now almost 2 months later they still itch intensely and 2 days ago i had the sensations of like a sunburn under my eyes. I wake up every morning with them swollen it tends to go down during the day but waking up they are swollen all around my eyes especially my eyelid area I then noticed a mikd rash on the lids and under my eyes and the itching and pain is still there. Yesterday i developed a rash on my stomach, tailbone area .my lower back,around on my abdomin and down my thighs behind my calfs and and today it was on the inside of my arm where it bends. This rash itches continuously and intensely enough to make me a nervous wreck right now.Also the rash is red with different size bumps from fine to bigger in size with a patch of them on the front part of my hip and behind my knees. I hope this dosent sound like Im whineing, but it is very uncomfortable and makes me irritable.And it seems to get worse each day.I dont have insurance and my parents cant afford to take me to the doctor. they dont seem to think its anything but an "allergy".

I thought it might be just allergies either to soaps or detergents at first but for the last week or more I have been taking benedryl at night and i even tried to take one this afternoon because thr itching is maddening. Just the brushing of loose clothes can start the itch and it was so bad on my thighs they almost feel bruised from scratching .

I also tried an anti itch gel (like a benedryl gel and w/ my skin bieng so sensituve it started burning me so i washed it off immediately, luckily i didnt put it all over yet.

I do have like achey muscles today which i just started feeling. I would apprectiate any kind of response if anyone ha sever gad these similar symptons. Sorry this is so long.

50 Replies:

Hi ATM, Sounds like you have hives..also known as urticaria (the formal name).You can do searches on the web to see pictures and find out more info about it. Read my thread (hoping- chronic hives)...my experience with hives, and everything that I have tried to kill it with!!! I hope it helps...

HELLO,I had the EXACT same thing until last september (I had it for a year)....my stomach rash was so itchy that I would scratch it until it went raw, same above my butt, and eyelids and at times would be itchy all over....DO NOT TAKE CORTISONE CREAMS from doctors these are useless and only mask the symptoms and they do not get to the root of the problem...I went to about 10 doctors and specialists to no avail...MY RASH IS NOW CURED, I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT IT WAS A LIVER ISSUE AND TOOK MILK THISTLE EXTRACT....TRY IT FOR A WEEK AND WATCH THIS RASH GO AWAY...I BET IT TAKES IT AWAY...GIVE IT A TRY IT WORKED FOR ME. YOU CAN GET MILK THISTLE EXTRACT (GET THE STRONGEST ONE YOU CAN) at any health food store, even supermarkets and walmart (i got mine at walmart in a green bottle)....try it,fraser

Hi, 8 weeks ago would put us back around christmas. Did you have a live tree?? If so, you could have gotten a tick bite and not noticed. You could have been bitten along time ago and not known it. It could be an allergy to something you are using or wearing. Depending where you live and the temps, it could be poison ivy or oak. My dau had that in the dead of winter, from handleing firewood. But those don't come with body aches and pains. Try this site, perhaps they can help www.lymenet.org Best wishes.

Hi there ATM,I hope you are all well by now but in case you aren't, here are some suggestions.I have had swollen (and somewhat itchy) eyelids on and off for two years now; various things prevented me from looking into them as needed. I did not have the other bodily itch symptoms. I am now going to a Chinese medicine person and had an acupuncture treatment (felt much better) and mixed herbs for 10 days. I went to three conventional doctors including two allergists and even though patch tests at the third indetified what was probably the culprit (at that time) he could recommend no treatment except symptom suppressant. The person below who thinks it's a liver issue may be on to something. The Chinese medicine person I went to thought it was partly a liver problem and also indicated that when a person is under stress his/her immune system defenses may be lowered.However, as a way of approaching the problem until you find out what it is:1)a mild hydrocortizone ointment which you can get OTC and cheap at a discount store will relieve the symptoms probably if you use it for 3-4 days (take a very small amount and rub it from the inside of the under/over eye area to the outside in gentle strokes until it is not visible--I got this from an allergist) although I don't recommend it either except for extreme discomfort and keep it well away from your eyeballs. Also, a wet compress 15 mins a day three times a day while lying down was recommended to me and does help some.2) I think my allergic flareup 2 years ago was stress-related. I was not exactly at the end of my tether but getting there and I got angry at someone and within two days my eyelids had puffed up like a lizard's. When I came to a foreign country 7 months ago it flared again. I started keeping track of my foods and finally figured that some wine additive (like sulfites) might be causing the problem this time, as this condition often flared up at the same time of the week (after drinking wine).3)I also removed my (sadly) favorite pillows and blankets which were all feather; I remembered that I used to have a feather allergy when I was a kid. This seemed to help so I would suggest you change the bedding and see what happens, also open the window as someone suggested who was allergic that dust itself can start something off. Again, if you lie down at night and then get up in the am with puffy eyes think of a)what you ate/drank/ exposed self to the night before and b)what might be in your immediate sleep surroundings. Be very careful about doing dusting yourself and this may touch it off. Keep the dust down by using wet rags to clean with.4)I wound up flat on my back for almost a week for various reasons; I hardly ate and just drank apple juice (homemade). This has made the swelling disappear.5)So, while I think the poster who researched that herb may be right on and would urge you to research as well, you may also be under personal stress which is creating a worse response. It's hard to hear that "it's just an allergy" as they can be horrible--I never knew how bad until a couple of years ago. I suggest that you figure out what it your environment may be kicking this problem off. and try to change it or remove yourself from it. Best to you and I will be praying for you.

Might be eczema. I have this creme and it works pretty well. It's called "Fluticasone Propionate Creme" but you can only get it from a doctor and it's pretty expensive.At walgreens they sell Cytaphil (or something like that) and it's works well too. Try applying hypoallergenic cremes before you sleep. Don't rub it in too much though. Just leave it there. And I know, this may sound gross, but Burts Bees chapstick is good for under your eyelids. I think it's the peppermint and it's all natural. Put it on, wash it off right away, and put lotion on. DO NOT KEEP IT ON. It'll burn =(

hiI had an outbreak of rashes on my arm and legsthey start off with itchy skin then after I scratch it it becomes small round rashes and within a few minutes it'll swell to at least the size of a nickle or a quarter. It's puffy and red like mosquitos bites but there are no sting or bite marks. It becomes really itchy after that. The bumps last for at least 1 week or more and nothing can soothe the itch. The rash becomes red and it gets darker as it heals. Finally a tan mark is left on the skin when it heals and that area becomes dry I have some pictures herehttp://pub30.bravenet.com/photocenter/album.php?usernum=2492126735&album=47503I've not had gluten for the past week but the rash kept popping up

oh my god i have the same exact symtoms. I have been to doctor after doctor, they gave me elidle cream didn't work, hydrocortione cream it works but you cant use it more them 2 weeks on the eyelids. The doctors think it is an ezyma I have never had this before and dont buy it. Cause nothing is working. I am 42 year old woman and feel like crap all the time cause my eyes look like crap. If you get any good advice please pass it on. Thanks From long island nyHi I am a 44 yr. old woman & this is the first time i have ever posted anything like this but i thought i would try. About 8 or 9 weeks ago i noticed my eyelids statrd itching it got progressively worse and now almost 2 months later they still itch intensely and 2 days ago i had the sensations of like a sunburn under my eyes. I wake up every morning with them swollen it tends to go down during the day but waking up they are swollen all around my eyes especially my eyelid area I then noticed a mikd rash on the lids and under my eyes and the itching and pain is still there. Yesterday i developed a rash on my stomach, tailbone area .my lower back,around on my abdomin and down my thighs behind my calfs and and today it was on the inside of my arm where it bends. This rash itches continuously and intensely enough to make me a nervous wreck right now.Also the rash is red with different size bumps from fine to bigger in size with a patch of them on the front part of my hip and behind my knees. I hope this dosent sound like Im whineing, but it is very uncomfortable and makes me irritable.And it seems to get worse each day.I dont have insurance and my parents cant afford to take me to the doctor. they dont seem to think its anything but an "allergy".I thought it might be just allergies either to soaps or detergents at first but for the last week or more I have been taking benedryl at night and i even tried to take one this afternoon because thr itching is maddening. Just the brushing of loose clothes can start the itch and it was so bad on my thighs they almost feel bruised from scratching .I also tried an anti itch gel (like a benedryl gel and w/ my skin bieng so sensituve it started burning me so i washed it off immediately, luckily i didnt put it all over yet.I do have like achey muscles today which i just started feeling. I would apprectiate any kind of response if anyone ha sever gad these similar symptons. Sorry this is so long.

I had a similar thing. I used Beconase nasal spray on a piece of tissue which took away the soreness. Keep the fluid clear from the surface of the eyes though.I followed this with using Zovirax cream. Only use the slightest amount and again, keep it clear of the eyes. My rash had almost cleared up within a few days. Antihistamine tablets may also help to clear the problem faster.

Hi ATM, I do have the EXACT same symptoms that you described. eye lids and around started itching around 2 months ago with skin slightly thickening and tightening in that area. 2 weeks ago i got rashes on my arms as you said. Want to check with you if you are better now and what cured the problem.Thanks,jay

I have the same symptoms. I am 47, male, and never experienced this before. My left eyelid swells up at night (don’t know if I rub my eyelid in my sleep or what), but by morning, it is swelled up again. I also experience a slight rash around my Adams apple which drives me crazy (the itch).

I'm a 44 year old woman. My itchy, swollen eye lid rash started over two weeks ago around the time I started getting rashes on my arms. I have been very weak, tired and my stomach has swelled from the inside to the point where I look like I'm 6 months pregnant. All of my blood tests are coming out fine. I hope we all find some relief soon. I may try the Milk Thistle from Wal-Mart and see if it works..if I'm not allergic to that too. LOL!

I have similar itchyness and wondered what to do. Mine reside around the right eyelid, beltline, shoulders, back/side of neck and around the elbow. I've had this annoying stuff for 2 years and it's getting frustrating. The doctor gave me Prevex B which takes the swelling down but doesn't cure whatever it is completely. They go away sometimes but end up coming back later on the week.Anyone have suggestions other than posted? I'm going to try that Milk Thistle Extract and see if that works. I also have Multiple Sclerosis if that helps any.Dale

I have itchy swollen eyes, just around them, my actual eyes are fine, it is just around them, the skin has got tight and red and swollen and the same on my eyelids. I went to the doctor yesterday, to be told they dont know what it is. I have tried cortisone but it did nothing. They are swollen in the morning bt they are red through the day. Any suggestions on what I should use?

ok so i went to the doctors and they charged me $89 to tell me that im probably allergic to something, wow, and they needed a phd to tell me that??? i just tried a and d cream, and the redness has gone (for now) also allergy tablets. they seem to be working for now, try that and see what happens, the dry skin is still there, but now at least i dont look like a raving alcoholic with big red puffy eyes lol. ill keep you all posted with how thats getting on, so far so good!!

hi i am 31 years old and i just had my third child she is about 10 months now and i breast feed her and i have thest itchy painful dry eyelids for a month now sometimes they were not that swollen but now adays they are alway swollen i started milkthisle two weeks ago but i am looseing hope from them Hi there ATM,I hope you are all well by now but in case you aren't, here are some suggestions.I have had swollen (and somewhat itchy) eyelids on and off for two years now; various things prevented me from looking into them as needed. I did not have the other bodily itch symptoms. I am now going to a Chinese medicine person and had an acupuncture treatment (felt much better) and mixed herbs for 10 days. I went to three conventional doctors including two allergists and even though patch tests at the third indetified what was probably the culprit (at that time) he could recommend no treatment except symptom suppressant. The person below who thinks it's a liver issue may be on to something. The Chinese medicine person I went to thought it was partly a liver problem and also indicated that when a person is under stress his/her immune system defenses may be lowered.However, as a way of approaching the problem until you find out what it is:1)a mild hydrocortizone ointment which you can get OTC and cheap at a discount store will relieve the symptoms probably if you use it for 3-4 days (take a very small amount and rub it from the inside of the under/over eye area to the outside in gentle strokes until it is not visible--I got this from an allergist) although I don't recommend it either except for extreme discomfort and keep it well away from your eyeballs. Also, a wet compress 15 mins a day three times a day while lying down was recommended to me and does help some.2) I think my allergic flareup 2 years ago was stress-related. I was not exactly at the end of my tether but getting there and I got angry at someone and within two days my eyelids had puffed up like a lizard's. When I came to a foreign country 7 months ago it flared again. I started keeping track of my foods and finally figured that some wine additive (like sulfites) might be causing the problem this time, as this condition often flared up at the same time of the week (after drinking wine).3)I also removed my (sadly) favorite pillows and blankets which were all feather; I remembered that I used to have a feather allergy when I was a kid. This seemed to help so I would suggest you change the bedding and see what happens, also open the window as someone suggested who was allergic that dust itself can start something off. Again, if you lie down at night and then get up in the am with puffy eyes think of a)what you ate/drank/ exposed self to the night before and b)what might be in your immediate sleep surroundings. Be very careful about doing dusting yourself and this may touch it off. Keep the dust down by using wet rags to clean with.4)I wound up flat on my back for almost a week for various reasons; I hardly ate and just drank apple juice (homemade). This has made the swelling disappear.5)So, while I think the poster who researched that herb may be right on and would urge you to research as well, you may also be under personal stress which is creating a worse response. It's hard to hear that "it's just an allergy" as they can be horrible--I never knew how bad until a couple of years ago. I suggest that you figure out what it your environment may be kicking this problem off. and try to change it or remove yourself from it. Best to you and I will be praying for you.

im 43 and have exact syptoms, 3 months ago started on eyes lids, swelling shut, upper lid puufed upt and became red and wrinkled liker a old person unde rneath was rewd,,,looks like i was ounch out then check rasy thats gone now my arms are a mess, huge red insect looking bites, no stingrs, itch like mad, im all scabbed from scrating of course corozone cre an does nothing,,,, Avene anti itch heklps for 5 minutes, how can doctors not know what this is I WILL PAY ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY...IF U CAN TELL ME THE RIGHT TESTING TO DO,,,FOR ANSWERS WOUDL A HOMOPATHIC PREACTICIONER BE ABLE TO FIND THE EXACT CAUSE oh and my 51 year old sister called me satiurday her arms, lesga and face are red and ithcy, he ****r doctor said ezema,,,maybe,,,mine said allergic to something,,,duh,, I SOOOOOO HADE DOCTORS,,,,THEY DONT HELP ANYONE PLEASE ,,,HELP ME.. I DO CLEANSES R EGULARILY AND I OEAT 1005 ORGANIC, AS WELL AS USE ORGANIC PRODUCTS ON SKIN AND HAIR MUY EYES HAVE NEVER BEEN HE SAME,,,,ONS SMALLER THE THE OTHER NOW,,,AND WHEN IT HAPPENS FEEL HEAVEY LIKE LID IS ABOUT TO COLLASPSE,,,,LIKE TODAY I TALE ANTI HISTIMAOINE ( HMOPATHIC) MEDS,,, IT HELPS BRING IT DOWN,I WANT IT GONE FOREVER I APPOLOGIZE FOR YYPOS IN ADVANCE WHEN IM EXCITED I TYPE TOO FAST AND THATS WHAT HAPPENS PLEASE RESPONDE, WE MUST BE ABLE TYO FIND A CURE HERE

I was at my wits end. I am a male, 45 y.o. and have been going through ***l the past few months with these same symptoms....extremely itchy eyelids, constant watering, swelling, drying and flaking, and then swelling all over again. My eyelids would swell up overnight to the point whee I could not open my eyes. I tried everything. Ruled out Blepharitis and Demodex. Been to my Primary Care Physician no less than 5x. She prescribed Claratin, Clarinex, Allegra, Xyzol, Nysonex, etc etc, nothing helped. Been to the allergist 3x to no avail. He only prescribed prednisone (which has dangerous side-effects). I finally went to my dermatologist. He did multiple tests on me to find out I was having an allergic reaction to Thimerosal. Thimerosal is found in some cosmetics, nose drops, eye drops, ear drops and antibiotics for the eye. It is often a preservative in cleaning fluids for soft contact lenses. Thimerosal was used in vaccines in the past. Today however, it is used in only a very few preparations. Bottom line....see your dermatologist. You're probably having an allergic reaction to some chemical. I hope this helps someone out there and wish you all well.

I'm 57 male. The bends of both arms itched so bad I'd make them bleed. The back of my ears itched. I went to the dermatologist and he gave me Betamethasone Diapropionate Ointment USP 0.05%. It helped. But now my eyelids are swelling overnight. I rinse with cold water in the morning and that temporarily helps but swells again at night. I'm afraid to use the ointment on my eyes. I think I have an allergy. But I'd sure like to know what to do.

Any news as to an update for treatments for this?Symptoms are:Eye Lid Swollen and ItchyBack rightside of neck ItchyLeft Elbow (right on the point) ItchyBeltline ItchyBack rightside of my Ear Itchy.Out of all of those, I find the Eyelid and back rightside of my Neck to flare up the worst. PrevexB doesn't do anything and only brings it down a little bit. I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYORE!Dale

I have had the exact same problem for the past three weeks with the exception of my whole face being swollen, red and burning as well as my forearms and eyes. NP said it must be a photoallergic skin reaction. Dr said she didn't know what it was other than probably an allergic reaction. I took prednisone for a week and have been using Zyrtec, Zantac and Benadryl daily with limited relief. Any thoughts?